The Way of the Wicked is Darkness and Despair – (Proverbs 4:18-22)
Daily Proverbs
Daily Bible Study
In this section of scripture, God is speaking to us as His children. He is renewing His plea to us not to walk in the darkness. Because the path of the wicked is filled with despair; it's tortuous and marked by violence. Though the weakness of the flesh may try to lure us to walk with the wicked, God assures us there is never happiness in the way of the wicked. There is only despair, hatred and anger because wickedness is rebellion against God. We have to remember what the apostle Paul told us. These present times are ruled by the "prince of the power of the air," who is Satan. And his only desire is to first separate us from God then destroy us. Why? Because we alone, unlike the rest of creation are created in God's image and Satan hates God.
In addition, because of the fall of mankind, this world is under Satan's influence. In other words, we live in a fallen world. This means that humanity in general is at enmity against God and will further work to persuade us to turn away from the Lord. Therefore, we must contrast the way of the world with the way of the just, who have been made righteous through Christ. We who have been made just by our faith in Christ, have an inner peace and joy because of what He did for us. A peace and joy which come from the renewing of our spirit as a result of our salvation. Moreover, we have a faith which brings a light as bright as the sun into our lives and a change in our character as the Holy Spirit works to change us from the inside out. This in turn produces a change in our character and in our outlook on life. A change which is evident to the world around us.